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For Immediate Release
June 5, 2012
Contact: Sung-Hee Park [email protected] tel +1 212 636 2680
Jaime Bernice [email protected] tel +1 212 636 2680
A TASTE FOR LUXURY: Two Great Houses from America’s Gilded Age
New York – Christie’s is pleased to present A Taste for Luxury: Two Great Houses from America’s Gilded Age on June
21. The private collection includes furniture, tapestries, old master paintings and drawings, silver and porcelain from
two exquisite residences: The Henry Cook mansion at 973 Fifth Avenue, designed by McKim, Mead and White; and
the country estate of Blairsden in Peapack, New Jersey by Carrère and Hastings. The interiors of both residences are
miraculously still intact and remain elegant reminders of the early 20th century and of the great families and fortunes
- as well as the great architects - that built them. Comprised of over 270 lots, this sale is expected to realize in
excess of $3.5 million and is the perfect opportunity for collectors at all levels to participate in America’s Gilded
Age.
Blairsden, Peapack, New Jersey Designed by Carrère and Hastings
The Henry Cook Mansion, 973 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York Designed by McKim, Mead & White
Just steps away from Museum Mile, 973 FIFTH AVENUE is
located in one of the most glamorous and sought-after
neighborhoods in New York City and the house truly has a
history to match. In the early twentieth century, the entire
block upon which 973 Fifth Avenue sits was owned by
speculator Henry Cook. After selling all the other properties
on the block, Cook hired renowned architect Stanford White,
of McKim, Mead & White, to design himself a house on the
last remaining plot. 973 Fifth was later purchased by Payne
and Helen Whitney, the owners of 972 Fifth Avenue (also
designed by Stanford White), and they were able to enjoy both
972 and 973 Fifth Avenue as a single residence until 1949.
The interiors of 973 Fifth Avenue are in remarkable condition,
with period rooms having maintained their original functions
despite the ever-changing architectural milieu of New York.
The dining room on the piano nobile and the Louis VXI
Drawing Room, which was supplied by the iconic Gilded Age
decorating firm Allard & Fils to White’s design, are still
dazzling entertaining spaces, adding to the home’s reputation
as a Gilded Age oasis.
Built by Carrère and Hastings for Mr. and Mrs. C. Ledyard
Blair and their four daughters, BLAIRSDEN was, and
remains, one of America’s grandest Gilded Age country
houses. Blair went to great lengths to create a true country
destination, leveling hilltops, building dams, creating lakes and
forests, and even installing new railroad tracks leading to
Blairsden.
While the world around it has evolved into a complete
suburbia with large-scale country houses having almost entirely
vanished, Blairsden remains virtually unchanged. The grand
architectural bones of the house remain wonderfully intact,
from the carved limestone fountains, to the deluxe lighting
fixtures by the celebrated firm of E.F. Caldwell & Co., which
illuminate the grand galleries and reception halls. Only one
owner separates the present owners from C. Ledyard Blair
himself, and although most of the collection was sold in a
series of auctions in 1949, they have accomplished a masterful
job of filling the great house with the collection it deserves.
The fine and decorative arts, like those at 973 Fifth, are
perfectly suited to their surroundings.
H IG HL IG HT S
A Pair Of Late Louis XVI Ormolu And Verde Antico Ewers
Circa 1790-1800 Estimate: $60,000 - 90,000
A North Italian Giltwood Side Table Genoa, Circa 1730-40
Estimate: $70,000 – 100,000
A Fine Pair Of George IV Silver-Gilt Wine Coolers
Mark Of Paul Storr, London, 1827 Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000
A French Chinoiserie Tapestry
Beauvais, Circa 1722-1724, By Noel-Antoine Merou Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000
Eighteen illustrations for Ovid's Metamorphoses
By Godfried Maes (one of 18 illustrated) Estimate: $40,000-60,000
A Pair Of Louis XVI Ormolu, Patinated Bronze And
Bleu Turquin Marble Three-Branch Candelabra Circa 1785, After A Model By Etienne Maurice Falconet
Estimate: $150,000 – 250,000
Auction: A Taste for Luxury: Two Great Houses from America’s Gilded Age 21 June 2012
Viewing: Christie’s Galleries, 20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 16-20 June 2012
Please click here for the complete eCatalogue for the sale. About Christie’s Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2011 that totaled £3.6 billion/$5.7 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled £502 million / $808.6m in 2011, an increase of 44% on the previous year. Christie’s has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financ ing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.
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Images available on request
Visit Christie’s Website at www.christies.com Complete catalogue available online at www.christies.com or via the Christie’s iPhone app
A Charles X Ormolu Mantel Clock Circa 1825
Estimate: $12,000-18,000
